The international auction for nominations to the stallions standing at
Coolmore Stud’s operations in the United States, Ireland and Australia concluded
Tuesday evening and raised a total of more than $2.2 million to assist the
International Red Cross in their work with the survivors of the tsunami
disaster. The fund was increased to more than $3.5 million through a donation
from an anonymous friend of Coolmore.
The auction came to a close with a rally of bids for the nominations to
Sadler’s Wells. Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms had the final say at 300,000,
while underbidders Mr. and Mrs. Gary Middlebrook kindly donated 50,000 to the
fund.
“We would like to express our sincere thanks to the very many people who
placed bids in the auction, regardless of the winning outcome,” a spokesperson
for Coolmore said. “Every bid helped to increase the final total. We hope this
contribution will help people to begin to rebuild their lives in some small way.
We are very aware that many of the bidders have also made private donations to
various organizations doing excellent work in Southeast Asia and we are moved
that breeders worldwide reacted so generously to support this very worthy cause.
“We would also like to thank the racing press, and in particular the Racing
Post, the Thoroughbred Daily News and the European Bloodstock News for keeping
everyone up to date and encouraging people in the industry to support the
initiative,” the spokesperson added.